The easing of COVID-19 restrictions this weekend has been hailed as a "tremendous achievement" for the community by the local health district's Executive Director of medical services.
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Dr Len Bruce from the Murrumbidgee LHD said that as the community leaves lockdown this weekend, people must continue to remain vigilant to keep the region safe.
"Eventually we will get a case in the community and I can assure the community that we are prepared for it," he added.
Dr Bruce believes that the lockdown has "definitely protected" the region over the past month, especially as a number of exposure sites were identified across the region.
Although he is "concerned" about what may happen when lockdown lifts, he said the health district is reassured by the fact that regions with recent cases of community transmission will be unable to travel here.
Dr Bruce also gave a special shout-out to local businesses for being so vigilant, especially venues that were listed as exposure sites.
"It demonstrates that if a business has a COVIDSafe plan, it can prevent transmission in our community," he said.
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As restrictions are eased this weekend, Dr Bruce said the most important thing for the community to do is stay home and get tested when they're sick, practice social distancing and get vaccinated.
"We've done extremely well, but we need to keep doing the right thing until we can get vaccination rates up," he said.
"We want to get everyone who's eligible to get vaccinated as quickly as possible," Dr Bruce said.
"70 per cent is a target but really I want us to get to 95, 99 and really 100 percent.
"That may not be achievable, but the more people that are vaccinated the better."
Last week more than 2000 vaccinations were administered through the MLHD.
Dr Bruce also urged the community to be understanding around the cap on visitors at Wagga Base Hospital.
"Until we're all vaccinated there is still a risk," he said.
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